Western Bulldogs

Former Western Bulldog Adam Cooney feels the time is right for Liam Picken to retire from AFL football.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge revealed on SEN’s KB and The Doc that Picken is likely to miss the rest of the year due to concussion following a sickening collision in a preseason match against Hawthorn.

Cooney, a former teammate of Picken, believes the 2016 premiership hero has enjoyed a stellar career after debuting as a mature aged recruit, and that for the sake of his own well-being it would be wise to hang up the boots.

“Liam’s one of those players who as soon as he thought that he would be right to get back out there he would put his hand up and play,” Cooney told SEN Afternoons.

“Obviously that decision has been taken out of his hands because I know what he is like – he is a stubborn little character and he would want to get back out there. Once he woke up he probably would have wanted to get back out on the ground.

“It’s really sad that Liam can’t play footy at the moment, but in saying that, if I was Liam and given he came onto the scene late, he is a premiership player, has three young kids and a lovely family – I would seriously consider giving the game away if I was Liam.

“He’s got a premiership and was an integral part in winning that flag and there’s a lot of life to live when you finish playing footy. Given his concussion history if I was ‘Picko’ I would retire.

“He has had multiple concussions and has done what he has needed to do in the game in my opinion.”